JPH0654910A - Oxygen-enriched gas feeding system and device therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] The purpose of the present invention is to make it possible to grasp the operating abnormality of the device as accurately as possible during the remote monitoring of the oxygen-concentrated gas supply device including the pressure fluctuation adsorption type oxygen concentrator. [Structure] PSA type oxygen enrichment means, information detection means for detecting information relating to its operating state and converting it into digital information as necessary, and determination means for determining whether the detected information is normal or abnormal And an oxygen-concentrated gas supply device or the like provided with a communication means for transmitting the determination result.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a breathing gas supply apparatus for connecting a breathing gas supply apparatus for supplying a breathing gas to a patient with a respiratory disease or the like with a central information means apparatus via a communication control apparatus. It provides a system for monitoring.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, oxygen therapy supplied from an oxygen cylinder has been performed for patients with respiratory diseases. Recently, an oxygen concentrator for separating and concentrating oxygen in the air to obtain an oxygen-concentrated gas has been developed. Oxygen therapy using it has been developed and is becoming increasingly popular.

As such an oxygen concentrator, for example, an adsorption type oxygen concentrator using an adsorbent capable of selectively adsorbing oxygen as an oxygen concentrating function part, or a membrane using an oxygen selective permeable membrane as the oxygen concentrating function part. There is a type oxygen concentrator.

As another oxygen supply method using oxygen therapy, there is also known a method of supplying oxygen vaporized from liquid oxygen at an appropriately controlled rate to a patient.

Oxygen concentrators are increasingly used not only in hospitals but also at home for home medical care. Note that these oxygen concentrators are individually arranged in hospitals and homes, and the operation status is grasped and managed separately.

These breathing gas devices are devices that maintain the life of the patient (user). Therefore, the reliability of the device is a very important factor. For example, in the case of an adsorption type oxygen concentrator, the microcomputer circuit is controlled so that the concentrated oxygen is supplied as stably as possible.

[0007] However, if a performance defect or failure occurs due to deterioration of parts during long-term operation, it will be a life threatening situation for the patient. In particular, when the patient is an elderly person living alone or living in a remote place such as a remote island, there is a strong demand that the device should not be a device that gives a sense of anxiety, even in the unlikely event of failure.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a pressure fluctuation adsorption type oxygen concentrating device such as a breathing gas supply device used for home oxygen therapy at a remote place is remotely monitored by an abnormal condition. An improved oxygen-concentrated gas supply system that makes it possible to detect the anomaly early before it becomes an emergency stop so that it can be dealt with with plenty of time before it becomes an emergency stop, and centrally manage it by communication means, and oxygen suitable for it. An object is to provide a concentrated gas supply device.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The inventor of the present invention has conducted extensive studies for the purpose of providing an improved respiratory gas supply system capable of grasping the operating condition of the operating condition by such remote monitoring. The present invention has been achieved by finding that it is effective to combine specific communication control means.

That is, the present invention provides a pressure swing adsorption type oxygen concentrating means comprising at least one adsorbent bed filled with an adsorbent capable of selectively adsorbing oxygen or nitrogen, and an oxygen enriched gas for use. Oxygen-enriched gas supply means, information detection means for detecting information regarding the operating state of the oxygen-enrichment means and converting it to digital information as necessary, and determination for determining whether the detected information is normal or abnormal Means and a first communication means for transmitting the determination result, and (ii) a second communication for receiving the determination result transmitted from the oxygen-concentrated gas supply apparatus. Means, storage means for storing the judgment result received from the second communication means, third communication means for transmitting the judgment result by modem using a telephone line, and third communication as necessary. Through means A central processing unit equipped with a communication control device comprising communication control means for transmitting the stored determination result, and (iii) fourth communication means for receiving the determination result transmitted from the communication control device by modem. And an oxygen-enriched gas supply system characterized by having.

According to the present invention, the judging means compares the preset alarm operating point and / or forecasting operating point with the detected information so that the operating state is normal, the state corresponding to forecasting, and the like. An oxygen enriched gas supply system is included, which is capable of determining which of the states corresponding to the alarm is applicable.

Further, in the above-mentioned present invention, the information detecting means includes at least one of a high pressure side pressure sensor and a low pressure side pressure sensor in pressure fluctuation adsorption operation and an oxygen concentration sensor in an oxygen enriched gas used. The oxygen-enriched gas supply system according to claim 1 is included.

Further, according to the present invention, the detecting means includes
A high pressure side pressure sensor and a low pressure side pressure sensor, and the high pressure side pressure sensor is activated immediately before switching to desorption of the adsorption bed in the oxygen concentrating means, and the low pressure side pressure is activated immediately before switching to adsorption of the adsorption bed. An oxygen enriched gas supply system is included, which is equipped with control means to activate the sensor.

The present invention also provides a pressure swing adsorption type oxygen concentrating means equipped with at least one adsorption bed filled with an adsorbent capable of selectively adsorbing oxygen or nitrogen, and an oxygen enriched gas for use. Oxygen-enriched gas supply means, information detection means for detecting information regarding the operating state of the oxygen-enrichment means and converting it to digital information as necessary, and determination for determining whether the detected information is normal or abnormal The present invention provides an oxygen-enriched gas supply device comprising means and first communication means for transmitting the determination result.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings as necessary. The oxygen-concentrated gas supply system of the present invention comprises an oxygen-concentrated gas supply device, a communication control device, and a central information processing device.

FIG. 1 shows the system configuration and information flow of a preferred embodiment of the oxygen-enriched gas supply system of the present invention. In FIG. 1, information regarding the operating state and usage status of the oxygen-enriched gas supply device 1 used in each patient's home, that is, monitoring data, is transmitted via a communication circuit in the device 1 or a cable means 2 such as an RS232C cable. It is always taken into the communication circuit in the communication control device 3 and processed. The data processed by the communication control device 3 is transmitted to the central information processing device via the public telephone line 4 at regular intervals. The data transmitted from each patient's home to the central information processing device 5 is processed by the communication processing dedicated computer, and the data is recorded in the database. In this computer dedicated to communication processing, data for a new fixed period such as one day is collectively stored in a floppy disk, the data is read from the floppy disk as needed, and the computer dedicated to data processing is used. It is desirable to record that data in a database. By doing so, the data stored in the database of the central information processing device 5 can be grasped such as the operating state of the device and the usage condition of the patient, and can be easily operated in various ways.

The system of FIG. 1 includes a pressure swing adsorption type oxygen concentrating function part 10 and a nasal cannula 11 as a means for supplying a breathing gas which is an oxygen concentrated gas therefrom. In addition, the oxygen concentration function unit 10 has a pressure sensor using a semiconductor sensor in an adsorption bed or the like, and a gas used for use as an information collecting function unit that quantitatively grasps information about the operating state and the use state of a patient. An information collection system including a concentration sensor, a means for recognizing a measurement value in a gas flow rate measuring device used, and the like are included. The analog information obtained here is converted into digital information by an A / D converter, and is sent to a communication circuit for outputting those data via SIO (serial input / output device).
-Serial transmission from the 232C communication port 12. That is, the data obtained by the information processing system is processed by the CPU directly or after A / D conversion, sent to the communication circuit via SIO, and serially transmitted from the RS-232C communication port.

The oxygen enriched gas supply device of the present invention comprises a pressure fluctuation adsorption type oxygen enrichment means provided with an adsorbent bed filled with an adsorbent such as zeolite, a supply means for using the oxygen enriched gas, and oxygen. Information detecting means for detecting information on the operating state of the concentrating means and converting it into digital information as necessary, determining means for determining whether or not the detected information is normal, and for transmitting the determination result It is equipped with communication means.

The pressure fluctuation adsorption type oxygen enrichment means is filled with an adsorbent capable of selectively adsorbing oxygen or nitrogen as an oxygen enrichment function part for separating oxygen enriched gas having an increased oxygen concentration from air. One or two or more of the adsorbent beds described above are used, and usually, pump means with an electric motor, which is a compressor for introducing compressed air into each of the adsorbent beds, is used.
Further, if necessary, fan means for generating cooling air for cooling these pump means is provided. Further, there are provided conduit means for operatively connecting the oxygen concentration function part and the pump means, and an automatic or manual opening / closing valve required for the conduit means.

Examples of the supply means for supplying the breathing gas include those equipped with a conduit means, a nasal cannula, a mask and the like.

The usual methods of detecting information by the information detecting means include those relating to pressure, oxygen concentration, flow rate, temperature in the condenser, current, pressure reduction of power source, abnormality in built-in computer, etc., and oxygen measured as necessary. Concentration, flow rate, pressure,
Information about temperature etc. can be given.

FIG. 2 shows a concrete example of pressure fluctuation adsorption type oxygen concentrating means applicable to the oxygen enriched gas supply device of the present invention.

That is, after the raw material air A passes through the flow path 61 of the solenoid type four-way switching valve 44 and is compressed by the compressor 43,
It is supplied to the adsorption bed 41 through the flow path 62 of the switching valve 44.
Nitrogen is adsorbed in the adsorption bed 41 so that the oxygen concentration becomes 9
Oxygen-rich gas of 0% by volume flows into the storage tank 42 through the solenoid valve 45. From the storage tank to the solenoid valve 4
6. After passing through the decompression valve 47, the sterilization filter 49, and the flow rate controller 51, it is used as an oxygen-enriched gas. In the step of desorbing the adsorption bed 41, the solenoid valve 45 is closed, the switching valve 44 is switched, and the oxygen-enriched gas in the adsorption bed 41 is switched through the flow path 63 using the compressor as a pressure reducing means. It is discharged as B from the channel 64 of 44.
By adjusting the switching valve 44 and the electromagnetic valve 45 in this manner, pressure fluctuation adsorption separation is performed. In addition, the compressor and the electric conductor associated therewith are cooled by an air flow by a fan (not shown). The oxygen-enriched gas C is usually humidified through an underwater bubbling humidifier and then supplied to the user's nasal cavity or the like by an oxygen-concentrated gas supply means such as a nasal cannula.

Reference numeral 52 in FIG. 2 is a pressure sensor for the adsorption bed, which is provided with a high pressure side pressure sensor and a low pressure side pressure sensor. Further, reference numeral 53 in FIG. 2 denotes a pressure sensor for oxygen-enriched gas used for adsorption and the like, and 54 denotes an oxygen concentration sensor for such oxygen-enriched gas.

The oxygen-enriched gas supply device of the present invention is characterized by having a means for judging whether or not the detection information regarding the operation is normal, and a more preferable judgment means is one using a forecast operating point. The forecast operating point will be described in detail below.

A pressure sensor 5 showing the pressure of the adsorption bed in FIG.
The change in the normal operation state of No. 2 is shown in FIG. Figure 3
(A) shows the entire pressure fluctuation pattern.
(B) shows the details.

As described above, the maximum ultimate pressure of the adsorption bed in the normal operation state is just before switching from the adsorption operation to the desorption operation, but a stable constant pressure is repeated every time for the following reasons.

That is, (i) the capacity of the adsorbent bed and the amount of adsorbent packed in the adsorbent bed, (ii) the performance of the adsorbent,
(Iii) amount of gas (air amount) supplied by the compressor, (iv) amount of gas discharged by the compressor,
(V) The amount of produced gas taken out from the adsorption bed to the surge tank, and (vi) the operation time cycle (adsorption time and desorption time) for repeating these operations is constant. Therefore, as long as the oxygen concentrator is operating normally, the pressure in the adsorption bed (the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 52) is as shown in FIG.
As shown in an example in (a), a constant pressure change is constantly repeated. That is, the maximum ultimate pressure of the adsorption bed shows the same value every time.

In the pressure fluctuation adsorption type oxygen concentrator, which normally repeats a constant pressure change under normal conditions, deterioration of the adsorption / desorption performance of the adsorbent is one of the causes of the decrease in oxygen concentration.

That is, in a normal adsorption operation, the adsorbent undergoes a large volume change when adsorbing N ₂ in the supplied air. The change is reduced as if the gas N ₂ was liquefied.

However, when the adsorption performance is deteriorated, the volume reduction rate is deteriorated, and N ₂ which is not adsorbed in the adsorption bed remains as a gas. Then, the pressure in the adsorption bed (P1) at the end of the adsorption operation (immediately before switching to desorption) rises as compared with the normal time, and N ₂ gas that has not been adsorbed into the surge tank for generated gas flows from the adsorption bed. It causes a decrease in oxygen concentration in the produced gas. However, the adsorbent in the adsorbent bed is filled in an extra amount so that even if some deterioration occurs in addition to the minimum required amount, the oxygen concentration in the produced gas tank does not immediately drop, but the adsorbent bed pressure Rises in.

Therefore, by observing the rise in the pressure in the adsorption bed, it is possible to predict the decrease in the concentration of the produced gas in advance.
In this case, it is predicted by measuring the pressure rise situation, and the set value of the predicted pressure is higher than the normal value so that it can be detected early with a certain margin against the pressure upper limit, and the upper limit corresponding to an abnormal condition. Set in a range lower than the value.

Thus, it becomes possible to predict a pressure abnormality using the high pressure side sensor of the present invention.

Here, the upper limit value is (1) the setting for protection of the apparatus, and (2) the pressure at which the N ₂ gas starts to flow into the surge tank for product gas, that is, the lowering of the oxygen concentration in the product gas is an allowable value. It is determined in consideration of both the lower limit pressure. In addition, when the upper limit pressure value is reached, the device is stopped urgently, an abnormal alarm (using a lamp and a buzzer, etc.) is issued, and at the same time, a communication means is used for notification.

Here, the forecast value is set in consideration of the fact that countermeasures can be taken with a margin before the upper limit value (abnormal value) is reached.

Further, the following specific examples will be given for the forecast by the pressure drop detection using the low pressure side sensor in the present invention. In other words, when the amount of air blown to the adsorption bed is reduced for some reason, an attempt is made to predict it before an abnormal state is reached.

In the above description in the normal state, for example, assuming that the blowing capacity of the compressor is reduced,
Since the amount of air blown to the adsorption bed is reduced, the amount of produced gas is reduced. However, when the generated gas amount is larger than the oxygen gas amount taken out of the system as the consumed gas amount (product gas flow rate), the pressure in the adsorption bed at the end of the adsorption operation (immediately before switching to desorption) compared to the normal value (Fig. The pressure detected by the sensor 52 in 2) decreases, but the operation can be continued.

Next, when the amount of air blown by the compressor further decreases, the amount of produced gas also decreases, and the amount of consumed gas (product gas flow rate) is eventually taken out of the system. When the amount of generated gas is smaller than the amount of oxygen gas, the product gas pressure (detected by the pressure sensor 53 in FIG. 2) decreases.

In this case, the device is stopped urgently, an abnormal alarm (lamp and buzzer) is issued, and at the same time, a notification is given via the communication control device. Assuming that such a state is the lower limit value of the adsorption bed pressure, it is sufficient to set the pressure drop forecast value to a lower limit value lower than the normal value and to allow some margin.

In this way, in the case of forecasting by the high pressure side pressure sensor, the pressure detection just before switching to desorption is performed,
In the case of forecasting by the low pressure side pressure sensor, it is desirable to control by the control means so as to detect the pressure immediately before switching to adsorption.

Further, an example of forecast due to a decrease in oxygen concentration when the oxygen concentration sensor of the present invention is used as the detecting means will be described below.

This is a method of predicting an abnormality corresponding to the case where both the deterioration of the adsorbent and the deterioration of the compressor capacity occur at the same time. That is, when the adsorption bed pressure should rise due to the deterioration of the adsorbent and the blowing capacity decreases due to the deterioration of the compressor, the apparent adsorption bed pressure does not show a normal value. Leading to. In such a case, it cannot be detected only by pressure monitoring. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, it is preferable to attach an oxygen sensor 54 near the product gas outlet to detect the oxygen concentration.

Further, the central information processing unit in the system of the present invention comprises fourth communication means for receiving the digital information transmitted from the communication control unit by modem.

That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the central information processing unit 5
Is composed of two computers, a communication processing unit and a data processing unit, as an information processing computer in addition to the modem which is the fourth communication means. In addition to the periodic communication sent from each patient's home, the communication processing unit can easily take a four-hour driving system when preparing for emergency alarm communication. In addition, it is desirable to be prepared for an emergency such as backing up the power supply with an uninterruptible power supply. The data processing unit performs history management of the breathing gas supply apparatus and processing of information regarding the patient usage status based on the recorded data.

It is desirable that the communication between the central information processing unit 5 and the communication control unit 3 is carried out by the telephone line 4.
In particular, it is practically convenient to use a public telephone line. When a public telephone line is used, the communication control device is provided with storage means for storing the destination telephone number, transmission schedule, etc., and is further provided with a connection means with the telephone line, and is used from a telephone connected to it. A device having a network control function provided with a transmission control means for enabling transmission only when not in use is practically advantageously used.

Further, as the system of the present invention, there may be mentioned a system in which a plurality of sets each including an oxygen-enriched gas supply device and a communication control device are connected to one central information processing device via a telephone line. Thus, a large number of breathing gas supply devices can be connected to one central information processing device, which is a central device incorporating computer means, via a telephone line, and an abnormal operating state of each device (including forecast) ) Etc. can be easily understood in a concentrated manner. Note that a plurality of breathing gas supply devices may be combined with one communication control device to form one set.

[0047]

According to the oxygen-enriched gas supply system of the present invention, it is possible to grasp the abnormality of the apparatus by remote monitoring, particularly to predict the abnormality, thereby improving the reliability of the apparatus and reducing the maintenance load. It is possible, and the excellent effect of giving the patient and doctor a sense of security of online monitoring can be expected.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the oxygen enriched gas supply system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a specific example of oxygen concentrating means applicable to the oxygen-concentrated gas supply device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a schematic pattern (a) and a detailed pattern (b) of pressure fluctuation in the adsorption bed in the pressure fluctuation adsorption-type oxygen concentrating means.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. (i) A pressure swing adsorption type oxygen concentrating means comprising at least one adsorption bed filled with an adsorbent capable of selectively adsorbing oxygen or nitrogen, and an oxygen enriched gas for use. Oxygen-enriched gas supply means, information detection means for detecting information regarding the operating state of the oxygen-enrichment means and converting it to digital information as necessary, and determination for determining whether the detected information is normal or abnormal Means and a first communication means for transmitting the determination result, and (ii) a second communication for receiving the determination result transmitted from the oxygen-concentrated gas supply apparatus. Means and
Via storage means for storing the determination result received from the second communication means, third communication means for transmitting the determination result by modem using a telephone line, and optionally through the third communication means. And (iii) central information having a fourth communication means for receiving the judgment result transmitted from the communication control device by modem, (iii) a communication control device including communication control means for transmitting the stored judgment result. An oxygen-concentrated gas supply system comprising: a processing device. 2. The operating means corresponds to a normal state, a state corresponding to a forecast, and an alarm by comparing the detected information with preset alarm operating points and / or forecast operating points. The oxygen-enriched gas supply system according to claim 1, which can determine which of the states is applicable. 3. The information detecting means comprises at least one of a high pressure side pressure sensor and a low pressure side pressure sensor in a pressure fluctuation adsorption operation, and an oxygen concentration sensor in an oxygen enriched gas to be used. Item 1. An oxygen enriched gas supply system according to item 1. 4. The information detecting means includes a high pressure side pressure sensor and a low pressure side pressure sensor, and the high pressure side pressure sensor is activated immediately before switching to desorption of the adsorption bed in the oxygen concentrating means, and the adsorption bed is activated. 4. The oxygen-enriched gas supply system according to claim 3, further comprising control means for activating the low-pressure side pressure sensor immediately before switching to adsorption. 5. A pressure swing adsorption type oxygen enrichment means comprising at least one adsorption bed filled with an adsorbent capable of selectively adsorbing oxygen or nitrogen, and an oxygen enriched gas for using the oxygen enriched gas. Supply means, information detecting means for detecting information regarding the operating state of the oxygen concentrating means and converting it into digital information as necessary, and determining means for determining whether the detected information is normal or abnormal, An oxygen-concentrated gas supply device, comprising: a communication means for transmitting the determination result.